banner tow airplane crash detroit city airport

The flight lasted more than three hours before it crashed.

'Defendant John Doe was negligent in his operation of the Defendant’s plane and further failed to manage the fuel system properly during a banner tow operation resulting in a loss of engine power due to fuel starvation,' attorneys said in the complaint.ĭrake Aerial company policy dictated that banner-tow flights should be limited to between two hours and 30 minutes and two hours and 45 minutes, according to the crash report and complaint. Also named in the complaint is 'John Doe,' since the pilot's name has not been released. Surles' family filed a federal wrongful death lawsuit against Drake Aerial in September, according to court records.

He had been towing a banner above crowds gathered downtown to watch the fireworks on the riverfront. Young International Airport on the city's east side, officials said last week. The plane was registered to Drake Aerial Enterprises LLC and operated by Air America Aerial Ads, according to the NTSB report. It crashed as the pilot was returning to Coleman A. The pilot suffered minor scrapes and was able to climb out of the plane.Īn inspector with the Federal Aviation Administration discovered the left fuel tank was empty and the right fuel tank had residual fuel. Theresa Surles, 38, was outside her apartment, preparing to attend the Detroit Ford Fireworks show downtown when she was electrocuted by a live wire brought down by the crashing aircraft.

Banner tow airplane crash detroit city airport